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rocker or lifter noise

dan roberts

New Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
33
my bronco was fine when i parked it 3 monthes ago. i started it yesterday and it was ticking or ratteling. a guy told me it was a rocker arm. why whould it just start doing that when it was fine when i parked it in a heated garage?
 

73stallion

Bronco Guru
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
16,786
Loc.
Eugene, OR
run it a little bit, it should pump up. i got a lifter that loses pressure when it sits for a day or more.
 

blubuckaroo

Grease Monkey
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
11,795
Loc.
Ridgefield WA
A lot of times lifters get varnished up and the little check valve leaks. If you let the motor warm up it may clear but the varnish still needs to be cleaned out. I've put in a pint of Berryman's Chemtool with a new change of motor oil and run it for a couple of days with good success.
 

hotrodtim68

Contributor
Full Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2010
Messages
306
Tired lifters:

Try using Marvil Mystery oil with a fresh oil change: 10/30 weight high milage Valvolene . Run it 100 or 150 miles and change oil again. I have done this with a well maintained "68" Bronco that was given to me. The 289V/8 Bronco sat in a garage since 1992. [101500] miles, all original. I had 1 lifter that refused to pump up; until I gave it the Mystery oil treatment. You may have a lifter that is hanging. This method is not a cure all, but it is worth a shot before a tear down. Been there, done that and Good Luck! ;)
'TIM
 

broncnaz

Bronco Guru
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
24,341
They dont go flat from just sitting. But what can happen is that the cam and lifters kinda dry up meaning theres little to no flim of oil on them and once you restart it could cause excessive wear or basically go flat because of the lack of lube. but more than likey as was said its just a lifter that hasnt pumped up due to varnish or whatever. I like to use marvel msytery oil to help free up lifters
 

pcf_mark

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 11, 2010
Messages
3,574
If you can figure out which one you can also loosen the rocker nut and spray some carb cleaner down the push rod and let it soak. Re-install the nut and fire it up. The carb cleaner should wipe out any varnish.
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
47,343
Guessing that by "flat", WC may have meant that it bled down and decreased the preload (kinda like getting a flat). As opposed to the base surface going "flat" at the cam lobe.

You probably knew that though, and were just sayin'...

Paul
 

BroncinBrandon

Full Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
201
Loc.
Tri-City Az
I had a 88 mustang 5.0 and did the same concept as the marvel mystery oil, but I used ATF instead.. Ran it for about 50 miles and then changed the oil. Cleaned it out pretty good..
 
OP
OP
D

dan roberts

New Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
33
thanks guys. its due for an oil change so im gonna change it and add a pint of sea foam. a mechanic told me that would probably work. what do you guys think?
 

Apogee

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
6,033
Last time mine was making noise, it turned out that the rocker arm stud had pulled out of the head. You might pull the valve cover just to make sure it's not something more serious, but more than likely, it's just a collapsed lifter like everyone has said.
 

broncnaz

Bronco Guru
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
24,341
Seafoam is good stuff to. Also if the oil is thin and needs a change that can cause lifter noise as well.
 
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